Plectrum for stringed instruments



sept. 27, 1927.

J. I WARNER PLECTRUM FOR sTRfmGEDgINSTRUMENQS Filed sept.` 1926AA\\\\\\V" y Patented Sept. Z7, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.vv

JAMES LUCK WARNER, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

.'PLECTRUM FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.

Application led September@ 1926. Serial No. 133,429.

This invention relates to a plectrum for stringed instruments, one ofthe objects being to providea structure of this character constitutingan eiiicient rest or support for the hand of the player and which holdsthe lingers so positioned that the device can be v readily manipulatedfor the purpose of properly moving the Vpick across the selected stringor strings.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combinationandarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within thescope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention hasbeen shown.

In said drawings,

Figure l is a plan View of a portion of the stringed instrument showingthe present improvements applied thereto.

Figur-e 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the plectrumattachment.

Figure 3 is a section showing a slightly modified construction.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference l designates abea-ring block adapted to be connected in any suitable manner to the rimR of the body of a stringed musical instrument. In thestructureillustrated in Figures l and 2 a pivot pin 2 is eX- tended from thisblock 1 and through one end of an arm 4. The pivot end portion of thisarm has a'recess 5 in its upper face for the reception of a wrist plate6 having a rounded edge portion as shown and which is preferably held inposition by the head 7 of the pivot pin 2. Extending laterally from theother end portion of the arm 4 is a finger plate 8 having shallowrecesses 9 in its edges for the reception of the respective fingers sothat the lingers of the hand using the plectrum will be held comfortablyspaced at the proper distances to secure the best results.

placed upon the arm 4 with the palm resting on the plate 8 and the wristresting on the plate 6. The fingers will rest within the re- V spectiverecesses 9 and the pick 11 will have its lower end located wher-e it canbe brought readily into engagement with one or more of the strings.lVith the parts thus arranged the player operates the plectrumbyoscillating it laterally. As the wrist and hand are supported the playerwill not tire as quickly as where no rest is provided. The pick Il canof cours-i be removed and inverted.

Instead of pivotally connecting the arm 4 to the block l, as shown, aspring tongue 14 can be secured at one end within a block l5 and at itsother end within an arm 16 corresponding with the arm 4. Thus during theactuation of the plectrum this tongue, formed of spring material, willyield later` ally but will at all times properly support the arm. Y

If desired the hand supporting member of the device can be mounted forlateral tilting and can be made of one or more separate sectionstiltable laterally on a rod adapted to oscillate from side to side. Thusthe movement of the hand is freer than otherwise.

vWhat is claimed is:

A plectrum including a hand supporting member, means for connecting saidmember at one end to the body of a stringed instrument for lateraloscillation, a wrist plate at one end of the member, a finger plate atthe other end thereof, a pick, and means for detachably connecting thepick to the meniber and adjacent the finger plate.

In testimony that I claimthe foregoing as my own, I have hereto Vaffixedmy signature. v

JAMES LUCK WARNER.

